Move Over 'Switch Hit', Indian Spinner's 'Switch Bowling' Action Is The Latest Fad In Cricket

Over the years, cricket as a sport has witnessed a lot of changes. The advent of Twenty20 (T20) format has sparked various changes in the way cricketers approach the game.

From helicopter shots to reverse scoops, we've seen the batsmen adding new and unique shots to their armoury. An improved level of fitness amongst the batsmen has now enabled them to clear the boundary ropes at will, cutting a sorry figure for the bowlers.

But, if the batsmen have improvised over time, their arch nemesis - the bowlers, too, have made crucial changes to their bowling to counter the opposition. From spinners to seam bowlers, the modern-day bowlers are now seen altering their lengths, bowling slower deliveries and deceiving the batsmen with their mystery balls.

A similar wizardry came to the fore when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video of what looked like a domestic game.

The video, which was shared on the social media, shows an Indian left-arm spinner taking a 360-degree spin before releasing the ball in a bid to outsmart the batsmen.

The Indian bowler, unlike other ambidextrous bowlers, didn't switch arms. But, it was his unique bowling action - one that would make a Ballerina proud - that took everyone by surprise. While the batsman somehow managed to maintain his focus before successfully defending the ball, the on-field umpire ruled it as a 'dead-ball'.

The video, which has got more than 15000 views on Facebook, has taken social media by storm. While some cricket fans opined that it was a legit delivery, others felt that the umpire was right to call it a 'dead-ball'.

Jokes apart, there is no liberty for bowlers in cricket. A batsman can play any shot from any positions he likes but a bowler should always stick to the same old style and trying something creative is considered as dead ball.